Sea Iguana Sneezes Out Salt: Swim Lizards Look Like Godzilla
The sea iguana of the Galapagos Islands is the only ocean-swimming lizard in the world. And if you've ever swam with these creatures, you'll notice they look amazingly like Godzilla.
Why are Marine Iguanas considered the inspiration for Godzilla?
Marine iguanas possess features very similar to those of the legendary dragon, including a row of spines extending from the nape of the neck, along the back to the tail. The scales on the top of their heads are conical and pointed, they have short strong limbs and a stocky body. Their length usually ranges from 60 to 100 cm and maximum weight is 11 kg. Their size largely depends on the amount of food available on the island.
Also known as the Galapagos sea iguana, it is a species of salamander endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is widely distributed on various islands, mainly on coastal coral reefs and sometimes in mangroves. This lizard is usually black, brick red or blue-black, they have the ability to feed in water and eat seaweed.
Sea iguanas are gentle herbivores that feed on green and red algae found in the waters of the Galapagos. Large males dive into the sea to feed on algae growing on rocks on the seabed. However, females and juveniles mainly feed on algae available on exposed rocks when the tide changes.
This species is medium-sized, adults usually reach 50 to 100 cm. Although the species is relatively large and locally abundant, marine iguanas are still listed as endangered and prohibited from being kept in captivity.
Sea iguanas shrink in size to survive food scarcity
On the island, food is scarce and their only food source is sometimes seaweed and underwater seaweed. Their dependence on water also makes them very vulnerable to changes caused by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which brings warmer waters to the Galapagos.
This leads to the disappearance of red and green algae, and leaves large salamanders at risk of starvation. To combat this, this animal has done the unthinkable. They shrink in size and length, just to survive. Scientists speculate that their bones are 20% shorter and that they reabsorb the substance from their own bones. When the water starts to cool down, their bodies will grow again!
This lizard is a cold-blooded animal, their body color will change when absorbing sunlight energy. Not only that, but they are also a type of lizard that has the ability to “bone out” – when deprived of food, they shrink their bodies, and research shows that their skulls can shrink by an average of 10%.
Sea iguanas can sneeze salt
An interesting feature of marine salamanders are specially adapted glands that clean up the excess salt they absorb while in the ocean. They regularly “sneeze” out salt from the nostrils and excrete salt from the body. This salt often falls on their heads, forming a white residue.
It is sexually dimorphic, with adult males being on average significantly longer and twice as heavy as adult females. In addition, males have longer spines and larger bony plates on the top of their heads than females.
In fact, marine iguanas can vary in appearance between different islands. However most of them are black most of the year, the males change color during the mating season with each subspecies adapting to different colors. On Santa Cruz Island they turn red and black, while on Española and Floreana islands they turn bright red and green, and are aptly called “Christmas Iguanas”. Their color comes from pigments digested from eating seaweed.
Female sea salamanders reach reproductive maturity between 3 and 5 years of age, while males typically take between 6 and 8 years of age. Reproductive age can be easily identified by the sudden decline in cyclical bone thickness.
Sea iguanas and lava lizards have a mutual relationship
On rocky shores, sea iguanas have a reciprocal relationship with lava lizards that run past them to hunt for flies. The iguanas leave them there and rely on them to keep the flies away. Lava lizards forage for food and the lizards can peacefully bask in the sun.
They are considered vulnerable and protected in Ecuador. Predators introduced to the archipelago, such as cats and wild dogs, and natural land predators, such as rattlesnakes, feed on their eggs and young. Despite their great adaptability, their anti-predation strategies have yet to be developed.
Sea iguanas have thick bodies and relatively short, strong limbs. Adults have a row of spines extending from the nape of the neck, along the back, and a flat tail that aids swimming. The skin is jet-black, and males can turn green and red during the breeding season.
So if you happen to be visiting the Galapagos National Park early, be careful not to disturb the marine iguanas and get too close to them. Despite their gentle nature, they can become aggressive when disturbed.
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